An
introduction to Brighton and Hove Independent Mediation Service
Brighton and Hove Independent Mediation Service offers an independent option
for dealing with neighbourhood conflict, which may result from, or lead to,
acts of abuse, nuisance or breach of the peace, in the Brighton & Hove
and Lewes District area. The Service has over forty highly trained volunteers
who can visit households who may be experiencing difficulties or conflict
with their neighbours.
The Service is free and offers an alternative to police or legal involvement.
We are impartial. Our job is to help and encourage those in dispute to come
up with their own solutions and agreements. For further information please
contact:
BHIMS
Basement Office
Ecclesden
Grove Hill
Brighton
BN2 9NG
Tel/Fax: 01273 700812
mediationservice@onetel.com
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary, confidential, process that uses a neutral third party
to help the parties in dispute come to a mutually agreed solution without having
to go to court. The process allows disputants to work out their solution assisted
by the mediators. Mediation is widely recognised as a cost-effective way of
dealing with neighbour disputes.
Neighbour mediation is a way of resolving disputes between those who live
in the same locality of neighbourhood. Disputes may involve issues such as
noise,
anti-social behaviour, boundary problems or verbal abuse, amongst other things.
Mediation is not about deciding who is right or wrong, nor about what should
or should not have happened in the past. Its main aim is to simply find some
way of improving the present situation.
How Does Mediation Work?
We will arrange to visit you and listen to your problems. Then, if they are
willing, we will visit the other person/s involved and listen to theirs. Then,
if both the mediators and disputants agree, a joint meeting can be agreed.
This meeting will be held at a neutral place with three of our mediators present.
Each household has a chance to say what they need to without interruption.
Our job is to help those present to find a way forward. Usually a solution
will be found which everyone is happy with which we will write down to remind
everyone what was agreed. However, this is not a legally binding document.
Sitting down and talking to the people who you are in dispute with may seem
odd at first, but most people find it okay, once it gets started and our experience
proves that it does work. However, if anyone is not willing to meet, we will
revisit each party in turn. Quite often this too can lead to agreement.
How
to become a Volunteer
Who can become a mediator?
We are looking for people from all walks of life. You do not have to have any
formal qualifications, special skills, only that you have the ability to listen
and respect confidentiality.
How much time would I have to give?
The initial training period is normally one evening a week and one or two Saturdays
spread over about 10 weeks. After that we are very flexible and work around
your other commitments, as cases are referred to us. We recognise that some
people can give more of their time than others. We return we give ongoing training,
supervision and support. We also pay travel expenses and assistance with child/carer
costs.
Who do we help?
We help neighbours who are experiencing disputes with one another over such
problems as noise, children, pets, parties, boundaries, parking etc. Such
disputes often arise leading to stress and affecting the quality of people’s
lives. They sometimes lead to slow and costly court proceedings with no guarantee
of a successful outcome.
How do we help?
We help by listening to neighbours, rebuilding communication between them,
either directly or through us, and by encouraging them to look to the future
and reach agreement on a way forward from which everyone can benefit.
Mediators: -
• Work in pairs
• Maintain strict rules of confidentiality
• Do not take sides or judge people
• Do not tell people what to do
We can also offer admin volunteer opportunities. As with the volunteer mediators,
we offer travel expenses, assistance with child/carer expenses and ongoing training,
support and supervision.
Useful Contacts
Adur Independent Mediation Service
The Carers Centre
Pond Road
Shoreham By Sea
BN43 5WU
Tel: 01273 455777
Eastbourne Community Mediation Service
Unit 6
Highlight House
8 St Leonards Road
Eastbourne
BN21 3UH
Tel: 01323 413487
ecms@ebadvice.fsnet.com
Hailsham & Wealden Independent Mediation Service
Southview
Western Road
Hailsham
BN27 3DN
Tel: 01323 442781
Hastings & Rother Mediation Service
24 Cornwallis Terrace
Hastings
TN34 1EB
Tel: 01424 446808
mediationhr@aol.com
Horsham, Crawley & Mid Sussex Community Mediation Service
Lower Octagon
Chart Way
Horsham
RH12 1RA
Tel: 01403 258900
coordinator@horshammediation.org.uk
Mediation UK
Alexander House
Telephone Avenue
Bristol, BS1 4BS
Tel: 0117 904 6661
enquiry@mediationuk.org.uk
www.mediationuk.org.uk
Return to top
